aero bars and tri-bikes

I'm not tiny 6'4" 238lbs and I love being in aero on my tri bike. Everyone is going to be different, but thats where you can adjust your position to be as comfy as you want it. Good luck.

It can be one of the potential discomforts of initially going to aero bars. But, you can work at getting comfortable. Also, be prepared to be a little "off balance" at first, as you'll have more weight over the front wheel. Now, I'm much more comfortable in an aero position. I started with a road bike with clip on and now moved to a tri bike in an aggressive position. And the "gut" thing, it helped me stay motivated to get more fit and eat better.

I started riding just by being aero and comfortable..so pretty much straight up.  As fitness, flexibility and my comfort on the bars changed I found that I lowered them.  Also probably a good idea to get fit..and do it from someone who understands you need to be comfortable at this stage and not as aero as possible.

I'm a big guy and I ended up putting my aero bars way wider that normal.  With my elbows that close together, I was having trouble breathing.  With that said, I'm not the most aero, but I do go faster while in "My" aero position..

It took me a while to feel like I had control of the bike, but after a while it becomes easier. Really helps on longer rides when you can get aero and just fly!

sobertriguy makes a great point. I first I was thinking that it was almost silly for a guy with my shoulders to try to get aero, but the point is to get more aero than you are normally. It will never be more aero than some of the elite, but definitely worth it. I got a pair of bars that are very adjustable. I carry a lot of weight in my stomach and at first, my knees kicked out to the side. After some adjustments, that was corrected. It's good to add a new position to the arsenal. 

+1  You can adjust the aerobars and the height (mostly by stem length/angle) to find something that is more areo than riding upright but not necessarily the ultimate in aerodynamic.  It is amazing how much limiting the amount of chest exposure to the wind will speed you up.

I'm getting my third set of aero bars.  This set is going to be wider. I've done a 100 miler race with my old set.  The thing I'm finding is with my bike fits is I don't know what is comfortable until I get there. I knew my shoulders hurt with my old bars but just thought it was normal.  Once I get my new set, I'm sure I'll feel more comfortable.

I'm moving up to a 60 from a 58, I was too bunched up like a turtle. Massive pain behind my right scalpula during IM, but of course with the pain I knew I was alive.